Cannabis Dispensary Opens In Oak Park
CHICAGO (CBS) – A medical cannabis dispensary opened Friday in downtown Oak Park.
Seven Point Medical Cannabis Dispensary is complete with a glass-enclosed showroom, a selection of over 100 different products and a library of "how-to" videos.
CBS 2's Dana Kozlov witnessed a ceremonial ribbon-cutting and a peek inside.
Brad Zerman, Seven Point CEO, showed off one of the dozens of medical cannabis-related products inside his dispensary, as well as their extensive patient education resources, during the tour.
"We recognize many people in the state are new users of cannabis and our goal is to teach them everything they need to know from what product to choose for their condition to how to actually administer it," Zerman said. "Our staff has undergone extensive training from some of the leading cannabis doctors and researchers in the country and we look forward to helping members of our community experience relief."
The medical marijuana program in Illinois is in a slow-moving process, but Seven Point is the 41st cannabis dispensary in Illinois. This year so far, the industry has grossed more than $14 million in sales and almost 9,000 people have been approved to use the drug.
The dispensary has over 50 cannabis strains in a variety of delivery methods including capsules, oils, waxes, concentrates, edibles and tinctures.
Zerman knows customers will want a variety and that is what he is hoping to offer.
Patients can select, starting Monday, Seven Point as their preferred dispensary on the Illinois Department of Public Health website. The dispensary opens Tuesday to fulfill any registered patients' cannabis needs.
"Most of the problem has been on the side of patients getting registered," Zerman said. "Finding doctors to write their recommendations."
Advocates still hope to see more medical conditions be approved for cannabis use. It remains a cash-only business and is not covered by insurance.
